Dhaka discusses use of Ctg port; both countries agree to a host of issues at foreign minister level talks in India

Staff CorrespondentIn a major breakthrough in bilateral relationship, India has agreed with Bangladesh to facilitate Bangladesh's transit to Nepal and Bhutan, provide at least 100MW power on priority basis, increase trade and communication facilities and resolve other outstanding issues.

Recognising the importance of bilateral and regional connectivity, Bangladesh discussed allowing India to use Chittagong Port and designating Ashuganj as a new port of call under the Inland Water Transit and Trade Agreement, says a joint press statement of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.

Both sides agreed to resolve outstanding issues relating to Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves and Tin Bigha Corridor, said the statement issued in New Delhi yesterday during Dipu Moni's September 7-10 official visit to the neighbouring country.

Both the countries recognised the need to finalise the water-sharing agreement for the Teesta and agreed to begin Joint Hydrological Observations on the river immediately.

If finalised, this will be the second water management treaty with India after the 1996 Ganges Water Treaty.

Bangladesh and India did not have any dialogue on water sharing in the last four years.

The two countries agreed to finalise three agreements on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

They agreed on re-opening of Sabroom-Ramgarh trade point as well as a land route at Demagiri-Thegamukh on the Mizoram border for bilateral trade.

India agreed in principle to provide Bangladesh with a line of credit for railway projects and supplying locomotives, coaches and buses. It offered to take up construction of Akhaura-Agartala railway link under Indian assistance.

India also agreed to assist Bangladesh in dredging rivers.

Both the sides agreed to start markets on the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border and allow movement of container cargos by rail and water for bilateral trade.

Bangladesh raised the issue of duty-free access for its commodities, removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers and improvement of infrastructure on the Indian side. India requested Bangladesh to remove barriers to Indian investments and port restrictions for specific commodities.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni earlier discussed a range of issues with the Indian foreign minister. She also called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister for Finance Pranab Mukherjee and Union Minister for Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The Indian premier told Dipu that India attaches highest priority to its relations with Bangladesh. He reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India, expressing the hope that her visit would write a new chapter in Indo-Bangladesh relations.

During the official talks, the two ministers noted that recent elections
have provided both the countries with a historical opportunity to take their bilateral relations to a greater height.

Our New Delhi correspondent writes: This is the first time that India and Bangladesh reached such substantive agreements in the area of security cooperation.

Replying to a question from media persons at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi after the release of the joint statement, Dipu said Bangladesh government is taking action against militants and India and Bangladesh agreed to cooperate on the issue. She reiterated "our resolve not to allow use of our territories against each other".

Asked about the joint operation against militants, she said the two countries can cooperate by sharing intelligence about the ultras.

She, however, made it clear that the two countries "have not finalised anything on extradition agreement".

"We agreed to work together and move together not only in bilateral relations but also for entire South Asia," Dipu Moni said.

She said since both the countries believe in the rule of law and democratic and secular societies, "this is a historical opportunity for the two countries to move together to take bilateral relations to a new height".

The two countries were understood to have had differences on a "few words" in the joint statement, which were sorted out after Dipu had telephonic calls with "appropriate authorities in Dhaka".

Excerpts from joint press statement

Both sides recognised the need to expedite negotiations with a view to finalise an agreement for sharing of the waters of Teesta river. Towards this end, they agreed to mandate their respective Foreign Offices to meet and discuss the technical and other parameters of this issue. They agreed to immediately commence Joint Hydrological Observations on the river. They also agreed to undertake bank protection works, dredging of Ichhamati river and minor irrigation/drinking water schemes on Feni river.

The Bangladesh side thanked the Indian side for the hospitality and cooperation extended to the Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation during their visit to the proposed Tipaimukh Dam site. In this context, the Bangladesh side welcomed India's reassurance that it would not take steps that would adversely impact Bangladesh.

Both sides recognised the importance of bilateral and regional connectivity. In this context, both sides discussed designating Ashuganj as a new port of call under Article-23 of the Inland Water Transit and Trade Agreement as well as the use of Chittagong port by India. Bangladesh side agreed to provide access to Ashuganj Port to facilitate the transportation of the Over Dimensional Consignments for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura.

Indian side agreed to facilitate Nepal-Bangladesh and Bhutan-Bangladesh connectivity.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the power sector. India agreed to provide at least 100 MW to Bangladesh on a priority basis. Ahead of this, it will also undertake a feasibility study on power grid inter-connectivity for transmission lines, etc from India to Bangladesh.

Both sides agreed on the re-opening [of] Sabroom-Ramgarh trade point as well as opening a land route at Demagiri-Thegamukh on the Mizoram border for bilateral trade.

India agreed in principle to provide a Line of Credit for railway projects and supply of locomotives, coaches and buses. India offered to take up construction of Akhaura-Agartala railway link under Indian assistance.

India also agreed to assist Bangladesh in the dredging sector.

Both sides agreed to start Border Haats [markets] at the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border for mutual benefit of the people in these areas.

Both sides agreed to movement of containerised cargo by rail and water for bilateral trade.

Both sides welcomed the holding of the Joint Working Group on Trade last month and discussed broad economic issues with a view to fully activate all institutional mechanisms to promote two-way trade, initiate long pending trade facilitation measures and facilitate movement of businessmen and professionals. Bangladesh specifically raised the issue of duty free access to Bangladeshi commodities, removal of Non Tariff and Para Tariff Barriers and improvement of infrastructures on the Indian side. Indian side expressed its readiness to assist Bangladesh in strengthening the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute. It also requested for removal of barriers to Indian investments and port restrictions for specific commodities.

Both sides agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues. Both sides expressed their intent to resolve outstanding issues relating to Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves and the Tin Bigha Corridor. Both sides also recognised the need for electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves as a humanitarian gesture.

The two Ministers reiterated their resolve to strengthen bilateral co-operation to deter the recurrence of terrorist incidents. Both sides also reiterated their resolve not to allow the use of their territories for activities inimical to each other's security interests.

The two Ministers reiterated their conviction that opportunities for fruitful collaboration between the two countries in furthering mutual interests were enormous and resolved to remain engaged to expeditiously address all bilateral issues.

Better lae than never. This should have happened a long time ago. But the sub continental countries instead of cooperating with each other have always bickered for one reason or the other.
Apart from being beneficial to both countries, this agreement is a necessaity for India to counter the alarming foothold china is trying to get in that country. So it's a case of national security and India has yo win over Bangladesh to it's camp.

definitely a welcome thing.while india has many concerns in terms of security,bangldesh particularly under BNP had accused india of being a BIG BROTHER.india needs to be benevolent to its neighbours in terms of trade even if it is disadvantageous.that is the only way they can reassure them and secure itself against the legitimate concerns it has.hope they work the same way wrt srilanka,nepal,myanmar,maldives...

i always envisaged highways, railways, power transmission lines connecting Kolkatta, Bangladesh ports and major cities of North East. That would give North East an easy port access either to the Chittagong or to Kolkatta. The power produced in North East can be supplied to rest of India as well as bangladesh. if there is a pipeline from Burma, then both bangladesh and India can share gas.

NEW DELHI, Sept. 10 (APP) - Bangladesh has allowed India to use Chittagong and Ashuganj ports for transportation of goods.This was stated in a joint statement issued here on Thursday on the conclusion of the 4-day official visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni to India.This was the first visit to India of any Bangladesh Foreign Minister after taking over the power by the new government of Awami League leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid.

The statement said both sides discussed designating Ashuganj as a new port of call under Article-23 of the Inland Water Transit and Trade Agreement as well as the use of Chittagong port by India. Bangladesh side agreed to provide access to Ashuganj Port to facilitate the transportation of the Over Dimensional Consignments for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura.
Indian side agreed to facilitate Nepal-Bangladesh and Bhutan-Bangladesh connectivity.

Both sides agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues including Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves and the Tin Bigha Corridor.

The two countries have also agreed to conclude three agreements including agreement for mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, agreement of transfer of sentenced persons and agreement on combating international terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug trafficking.

India has been accusing Bangladesh for harbouring leader and activists of ULFA and other organizations which are active in North East states of India.

Referring to sharing of the waters of Teesta river, it was agreed to mandate their respective Foreign Offices to meet and discuss the technical and other parameters of this issue. A Joint Hydrological Observations on the river will be commenced with immediate effect.

India agreed to provide at least 100 MW to Bangladesh on a priority basis. For this purpose, India will also undertake a feasibility study on power grid inter-connectivity for transmission lines from India to Bangladesh.

Both sides agreed to movement of containerised cargo by rail and water for bilateral trade.

Both sides agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues including Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves and the Tin Bigha Corridor.

I am happy that we have all these agreements, but why does India need access to the Ashuganj and Chittagong ports? We already have Calcutta, Haldia and Paradip. Is this for access for Nepal and Bhutan? That would make sense.

I think India has already granted Nepal dedicated access to the Vizag port though of course Chittagong port will be nearer.

I am happy that we have all these agreements, but why does India need access to the Ashuganj and Chittagong ports? We already have Calcutta, Haldia and Paradip. Is this for access for Nepal and Bhutan? That would make sense.

I think India has already granted Nepal dedicated access to the Vizag port though of course Chittagong port will be nearer.

If we can get transit for rail line to the north east via Bangladesh it would help a lot. Bangladesh with transit fees and India with better access to NE regions.
The access of Bangladeshi ports will be useless though if India doesn't develop the NE region well and produce goods that will require these ports for an outlet.

What India is keenly looking is to have a Gas Pipeline transit through the Bangladesh. India's major Oil and Gas producing companies have invested heavily in Burma's Gas reserve field and hence to reduce transportation cost, they need Gas Pipeline transit through the Bangladesh. At the same time, BD should allow Indian heavy transport vechile to have access to its Highways, so that it can bring down the overall time and cost of transportation.

it is good to see the sub-continent is coming off age. the age of immaturity, suspicion of each others motives, painting the other as a villain, and pointless rhetoric are probably becoming a thing of past, or so one hopes.

if any thing this move on bangladesh's part has to be interlinked with a similar endeavor being enacted with pakistan as well. india has been negotiating a freight transit through pakistan to afghanistan, iran, car, and possibly eu, and in return offering the same facility to pakistan to move their goods through india to bangladesh, nepal, bhutan and in the long run asean, and on a similar front allow a two way trade between all these countries through each others land scape. on a similar note bangladesh is being allowed transit to nepal and bhutan.

the cabinet of pakistan has given an in principle approval to pakistani goods moving through india to our neighbors and it is hoped they will also grant a similar approval to our goods being allowed to move through their country.

if this whole project is allowed to move ahead without certain vested interests having a say on the matter who would like to see the sub continent be engulfed in a spat of fire, then there is a lot to gain economically for the subcontinent as also we could possibly develop some sort of a much needed trust factor. the cost benefits are going to be huge and because of this possibly the fdi from each others countries in the near future will become a reality, rather than the same be turned away in the name of security concerns.

who says saarc does not work and safta wont be a possibility, hopefully the day when safta becomes a reality, is not far off.